To say Heather Gay has brought a ton of people up to speed on the Mormon church in her three seasons on Real Housewives of Salt Lake City would be the understatement of the century - but she's not done just yet.
As RHOSLC fans will be well aware, Heather just took her opening up to a whole new level with the release of her very first book.
And, naturally, she's titled it Bad Mormon.
We sat down with the RHOSLC OG and Beauty Lab + Laser founder to hear more about Bad Mormon, and what makes it different from everything she's already shared on the show.
"Bad Mormon" Gets Much More Vulnerable Than "RHOSLC"
As a reality star, Heather Gay is pretty well accustomed to sharing her story with the world, and getting vulnerable with a wide audience.
In light of that, writing a memoir doesn't sound like much of a stretch - but Heather reveals that with Bad Mormon, she's going deeper than ever before.
"The book has all the hidden secrets that Mormons never talk about," she begins.
" Bad Mormon shares the secrets that we've kept private for generations that are scandalous and embarrassing and what no one ever actually talks about."
Getting even more real with fans has certainly come with some challenges.
After all, she explains that while she definitely had more "Control of the narrative" in Bad Mormon - after all, this was her project, rather than Bravo's - there were times that control was a double-edged sword.
For starters, she explains, she knew she was the one opening the floodgates.
"The worst part of this experience was betraying covenants that I would be damned to hell for ever speaking out loud."
Even so, Heather is resolute that she has no regrets.
"This book is my story, my experience, and I left no stone un-turned. I told it from my perspective: unfiltered, and unedited."
Heather Opens Up About The Best Part Of Writing Her Book
Fears aside, it's safe to say, Heather has loved putting together her very first memoir.
In fact, she shares that the highlight of the experience, by far, has been going through it with her children.
"It was amazing sharing stories of my childhood with my own daughters, and realizing how the experiences in my life have changed me as a mother, made me become the mother I want to be, and letting them see who I was when I was their age, and who I become. That was the best part."
Heather adds that another major perk was just how healing it was, putting it all out there.
In fact, she describes writing the book as, "The most cathartic thing that I've ever done."
"I've been in therapy on and off for 10 years, but writing my story down, honoring it, and reading it back gave me grace from my history - and hope for my future."
Heather Shares What She'd Tell Her Younger Self
From a reality show, to a book, and her journey in therapy it's clear that Heather is committed to living in her truth.
We couldn't help but ask, then, if she had any words of wisdom for her pre-RHOSLC and Bad Mormon self.
"I would say, it's okay," she nods.
"You can leave, you'll be fine, you will not be struck down, and people will still love you."
"You don't have to be perfect to be loved," she affirms, concluding our chat.
Heather Gay is on the path to healing, and luckily for fans, we're invited along for the ride.
Catch up on Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and see the epic reunion on Hayu.
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